Progress Reported with Wheeling Projects

We at Weelunk work very hard to be sure our readers are up-to-date with any developments and possibilities in the Wheeling area, and when there is progress to report we enjoy offering those updates, as well.

George Kellas Jr. captured $1,740 in winnings after receiving the most votes during the sixth “Show of Hands” event presented by ReInvent Wheeling.

And the winner is:

Four groups presented their ideas to more than 200 interested Wheeling residents during the sixth “Show of Hands” event on Sept. 2 at the Capitol Theatre Ballroom, and the youngest competitor walked away with the $1,740 in winnings.

George Kellas Jr., son of legendary broadcaster George Kellas who passed away in February 2009, pitched his “Wheeling Documentary” business as a way for all businesses in the municipality to increase their marketing. Kellas has produced videos on Later Alligator and Centre Market and plans to film many more in the future.

Kellas said if he proved victorious, it would allow his business venture to purchase updated equipment so he and his colleagues can keep pace in an ever-evolving industry. He joined Martha Polinsky from the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, Cindy Bonfini-Hotlosz, owner of the Empress Emporium, and Jeremy Richter, founder of the Independent Theatre Collective.

ReInvent Wheeling is now accepting applications for the next “Show of Hands,” scheduled for the Capitol Ballroom on Nov. 18. Those interested can acquire the application by visiting www.downtownwheeling.com.

The international law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe is the primary sponsor, and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church also assists with funding.

When complete, the loft apartments on the seventh and eighth floors of the Stone Center will appear like this rendition made available by the Woda Group.

The Plaza and the Lofts:

Twenty-two loft apartments will become available to their residents on-schedule and on-budget, and team members of the Wheeling Nailers will occupy the 11 units on the Stone Center’s sixth floor. The construction of the loft units was funded by The Woda Group, and two-floor units are located on the building’s seventh and eighth floors.

“What The Woda Group has accomplished is addressing our downtown’s need for more residential housing that makes sense to the people looking for that kind of lifestyle,” said Wheeling Mayor Andy McKenzie. “I understand that interest was high soon after the project was announced, and I expect it will remain that way for years to come.

“The Market Plaza project has transformed that area into a more functional area for what takes place there now, and it’s ready for more development should it happen,” he continued. “The hope is that it does, and that’s because of the development that’s already taking place across Market Street.”

City officials joined representatives of Williams Lea and Wheeling Jesuit University during the plaza’s dedication last week.

Glenn Elliott, owner of The Professional Building and a candidate for Mayor of Wheeling, speaks to a large crowd at the Ohio County Public Library about rebuilding Wheeling through preservation development.

Wheeling Council Candidates to Date:

Here’s how it’s shaping up thus far. Keep in mind there’s plenty of time remaining for additional candidates to file the necessary paperwork.

Election Day 2016 – the city of Wheeling:

Ward 1 – Chad Thalman

Ward 2 – Loma Nevels, Jeremy Morris, Charlie Ballouz – Ken Imer?

Ward 3 – Brian Wilson and Thomas Connor

Ward 4 – Wendy Scatterday – David Miller?

Ward 5 – Frank Callabrese – Don Atkinson?

Ward 6 – David Palmer

Mayor – Glenn Elliott and Gene Fahey

The field thus far is sprinkled with a little bit of what newcomers to Wheeling quickly discover: There are many different mindsets alive and active in this historic town, and that fact could make for difficult decisions and split votes.

I believe Imer, Miller, and Atkinson will all run for re-election, and I expect important conversations to continue so all citizens of the Friendly City have the chance to learn about these candidates so they may participate in the important conversations between now and May 2016.

Officials of the Wheeling Arts and Cultural Commission accepted design proposals for the parking meters that surround the market houses in Centre Market.

Art Projects:

A lot of great folks with a lot of gumption gathered at the Mount Wood Overlook, and they applied the moss paint to areas they believed would create something we’ve never seen before.

And then it didn’t rain for weeks.

“The moss project at the North Park Overlook had an unfortunate obstacle,” said Erika Donaghy, chair of the arts and cultural commission. “We experienced a period of a month after the test runs where it barely rained, and we had many extremely hot days.

“Undeterred, we will do another test run in very early spring 2016. If we find that the moss just doesn’t do well in that area, we have several possibilities that have been discussed for that site,” she continued. “We will certainly not abandon that area as a project as it sorely needs attention. We have been approached by community organizations and individuals that want to help, so we know that there is interest.”

Donaghy said the efforts by the members of the Wheeling Arts and Cultural Commission are meant to complement the progress that has been realized with several private and public projects through the Friendly City.

“These projects that we are undertaking go hand-in-hand with the amazing work that other groups are doing. When you have community gardens, rehabbed public spaces like the Market Plaza, and ongoing community improvements, that’s when you see change,” she explained. “It never happens all at once or by one organization. Real and wonderful change is happening in Wheeling.”

The deadline to submit a proposed design for one of the parking meters is Sept. 2o. Once the designs are juried and selected, the kickoff for painting will take place on Oct.9. Donaghy said between 20 and 30 meters will be completed by Oct. 11. Five cash prizes will be awarded, including $250 to the “best of show,” and four awards worth $100 each as awards of merit.

A reception at Centre Market has been scheduled for 5 p.m. on Oct. 9. Local band “Hit Play” will perform beginning at 8 p.m.

A second meter-painting phase has been tentatively scheduled for Spring 2016.

“The Arts & Cultural Commission is excited and proud to bring this project to Wheeling,” Donaghy added. “We will be doing a series of projects that involve the community, and we invite input and participation from everyone.”

Holly Herbold at Good Mansion Wines always greets her customers with a smile.

Lunch at Good Mansion Wines:

“Late October,” is what Dominic Cerrone says now as far as when he and his staff at Good Mansion Wines will begin offering lunch-services at the East Wheeling wines shop.

“It’s going to be trial-and-error in the beginning,” Cerrone explained. “But we know what we will offer in the beginning, and we’ll go from there. Hopefully we’ll still have good weather then so some folks will have the chance to sit out on the porch in addition to in our parlor.”

Cerrone’s Good Mansion Wines started offering imported foods in October, and his inventory has grown ever since. “We have products in stock now that you can’t even get on the Strip in Pittsburgh or anywhere else,” Cerrone reported. “And the reaction has been very impressive. The foods and the cheeses have become popular much more quickly than I thought they would.

“And the response to the baguettes has been overwhelming, and that’s why we now have them on Thursdays, Friday, and Saturdays, and we are looking to add even more days,” he said. “It just shows that there are a lot of people in the Wheeling area who have wanted to eat these imported foods and cheeses instead of what they have been buying for years.”

Officials of the Ohio County Health Department announced late last week that the blue-green algae had dissipated along the Ohio River in the Wheeling area. (Photo made available by the Ohio County Health Department)

An Algae Update:

Officials of the Ohio County Health Department released good news for local Ohio River enthusiasts late last week:

The Ohio River continues to be monitored by several organizations, including the Ohio EPA, WVDEP, ORSANCO as well as our partners at the City of Wheeling Water Treatment Plant/Department. The rain yesterday and last evening as well as the cooler temperatures is welcoming. A visual assessment (shore level) of the river over the last several days in the Wheeling area shows clearing and considerable less algae.

Wheeling Water Department is still getting slightly elevated levels from the river and is still able to treat it at the plant. Drinking water numbers are good. A verbal discussion with staff from the Pike Island Locks and Dam confirms that the algae is not as prevalent as the previous weeks.

The algae is moving south down the Ohio River. WVDEP recently conducted two aerial assessments (September 4th and 8th) of the Ohio River from the Wellsburg, WV area to below Huntington, WV. Areas south of Wheeling are seeing large Algae mats in both the Ohio River and creeks that feed the river.

Although the water is clearing, we have not received a definitive report that the Blue Green algae is completely gone from our area of the river (including behind the Pike Island Locks and Dam area).

At this time we are maintaining our health advisory for the Ohio River, recommending that residents continue to use caution when swimming, boating, fishing, or doing other recreational water activities in the Ohio River.

The blue-green algae remained a more pressing issue in Wetzel and Monroe counties along the Ohio River this past weekend, but cooler temperatures in the Wheeling area limited river recreation. According to Lou Vargo, director of the Ohio County Emergency Management Agency, the precipitation in the Upper Ohio Valley on Saturday helped further flush the toxic algae away from the Friendly City’s waterfront.

One Response

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KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. JACK MENDELSON